An Egyptian woman, Wafa, who was subjected to physical abuse by her husband and his sister-in-law, has been provided shelter following intervention in her case by the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission.

Rania al-Baz's popularity as a TV news presenter was always an implicit threat to Saudi Arabia's repressive, male-dominated culture but it wasn't until her husband beat her, and she published the photos of her injuries, that she shook Saudi society.

Mohamed al-Zulfa was a little-known member of the majlis al-shura (consultative council). A few months ago he became a celebrity when he turned a discussion about a new traffic law into a national debate about the right of women to drive cars.